The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office established its Victim Services Unit in 1997. The department hired an advocate to help not only crime victims, but law enforcement personnel. Advocates also helped to bridge the gap between victims, law enforcement, and the judicial system.

One of the main responsibilities of the Victim Service Coordinator is to assist any crime victim in Kanawha County. The advocates work directly with the victim from the time a complaint is filed with law enforcement through the judicial process.

The advocates can assist victims with the following: filing orders of protection, court support, in filing for Crime Victim Compensation Fund, locating community services and transportation assistance (bus passes).

The Victim Services unit is located in the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office advocates can be reached at 304-357-0499, via the switchboard at 304-357-0200, or 304-357-0155.

The U. S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement agency also has a program established to assist victims of crimes committed by criminal aliens. That agency requests victims of those crimes to register with their agency at www.ice.gov/victim-notification.